How do you prefer to pray?

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Larry1700

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When we were married, I noticed that my wife (a cradle Catholic) never closed her eyes while praying, while I (Baptist for the first 22 years of my life) always closed my eyes and bowed my head. I have since started doing both. I was just wondering what everyone else does, and if you could tell me your religion it would be appreciated.
 
here is some advice I was given:

First, you must make a firm resolution to pray daily.

Second, you must not judge the quality of your prayer by how it feels. Judge it rather by the effect it has on your moral life and on the deepening love you have for the liturgy.

Third, you must be willing to labor patiently in the vineyard of the Lord (your soul) and leave to Him the time of His Visitation.

If you abide by these three principles, you will make rapid progress in the spiritual life.

Now, as to the mode of prayer:
  1. Start with 15 minutes with the intent of conquering the initial hills surrounding Mount Carmel: within a year of faithful prayer, you should be able to pray 1 hour a day.
  2. Always begin by praising the Most Holy Trinity, starting with the Father, than the Son and then the Holy Spirit. Take your time and do not be hasty.
  3. Ask your guardian angel to pray for you and ask the Blessed Virgin Mary to place her Mantle of Love around you. Finally, implore St. Joseph to teach you how to pray.
  4. Do an examination of conscience. This should not last more than 5 minutes. Ask God’s forgiveness and make a firm resolution to go to confession every two weeks to help you change your ways.
  5. Now that you have given Glory to God, asked Heaven to assist you and examined yourself in the light of the Holy Spirit and made a firmt purpose of amendment, you are fit to open Scripture and read a passage. I recommend you pick a gospel and read through from start to finish. In each case, put yourself in the scene and ask simple questions: where am I? Who am I siding with? Do I understand what Jesus is saying? How does this apply to me? Use any other question and interrogation to stay in this mode. Should God grants you this Grace, much good will come from it and you will see the virtues grow.
  6. Leave the rest to the Lord. He will call you to the Supernatural
    contemplative State according to His Will.
  7. Should you face distractions or aridity (inability to think, to imagine or to pray), do not be disturbed by either. Simply say, “I am an unprofitable servant, I have done only my duty.” Do not leave your post, do not stop fighting. Much depends on that.
 
I was taught at as a child that closing the eyes is to help with focus . It’s easer to focus on God when you aren’t looking around at stuff on the walls or noticing how dusty the lamp is. I think children are taught to fold hands together for the same reason… Kids are forever fiddling with stuff if they are asked to sit still.

Kneeling, Bowing the head, or even laying prostrate, are actions of humility before God.

(I’m non-denominational)
 
HailMary said:
Start with 15 minutes with the intent of conquering the initial hills surrounding Mount Carmel: within a year of faithful prayer, you should be able to pray 1 hour a day.
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Are you referring to St. Teresa of Avila’s Interior Castle?
 
You are already ages ahead of most people if you are familiar with her techniques. You should be teaching us if that is the case!

Nite.
 
HailMary said:
You are already ages ahead of most people if you are familiar with her techniques. You should be teaching us if that is the case!

Nite.
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Sadly, no, I have yet to read that book. I read one of her books years ago (I think it was her autobiography), and I’ve read Thomas Dubay’s book on prayer, which integrates some of her ideas.

I do plan to read Interior Castle someday, but it’s one of many that I plan to read. I think I’ll change my signature to “So many books, so little time!” 🙂
 
Depends. Sometimes I’ll be kneeling and immobile and all at perfect angles for a long time, sometimes I’ll be standing and even pacing. I generally prefer to kneel, but sometimes the pacing is stronger than I. I don’t really have much use for the standing position, although it’s not like I won’t pray sitting on the bus or lying in bed.

As for closing my eyes, that depends again. Sometimes I’ll close them, sometimes I’ll want them specifically open. I’ve found that closing them doesn’t always help concentration. I think more of the time, I have my eyes open. I’m generally more of an open-eyed type. I want to see what’s going on and I don’t want the blindfold. 😉
 
I usually sit with my eyes closed or focussed on the crucifix. At times I will kneel and pray with my eyes closed. I 'm catholic.
The holy spirit will usually move me to assume the position suited to the particular moment of prayer.
 
Larry1700 said:
When we were married, I noticed that my wife (a cradle Catholic) never closed her eyes while praying, while I (Baptist for the first 22 years of my life) always closed my eyes and bowed my head. I have since started doing both. I was just wondering what everyone else does, and if you could tell me your religion it would be appreciated.
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I have a kneeler in my bedroom, which I use for shorter prayers. For longer sessions, I sit on a comfortable chair in the living room, to avoid over-stressing my knees. I read many of my prayers, and those I don’t I keep my eyes open anyway, focused on an icon. Plus my cats to provide distractions, such as Fluffy in my lap
 
Well, I usually pray with my eyes open if I’m praying and driving in my car. I just think it is more chartiable to other drivers (not to mention myself).
 
when I am praying the Liturgy of the Hours I am reading the psalms and canticles etc. so my eyes are open, when I am praying the rosary I am usually walking so I better keep my eyes open, when I am praying lectio divina with scripture, that also involves reading so my eyes are usually open, although I suppose I might close them while in the meditation phase, or just stare into space. Most of my real prayer any more is just sitting in the dark and silence, if I close my eyes I will fall asleep.
 
mommyof4 said:
Well, I usually pray with my eyes open if I’m praying and driving in my car. I just think it is more chartiable to other drivers (not to mention myself).
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:rotfl::rotfl:I must admit I don’t close my eyes when praying and driving either.
 
Syele said:
I was taught at as a child that closing the eyes is to help with focus . It’s easer to focus on God when you aren’t looking around at stuff on the walls or noticing how dusty the lamp is.
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I find it easier to focus with my eyes open because if I close my eyes, I usually fall asleep. :yawn: :sleep: 😊
 
lak611 said:
I find it easier to focus with my eyes open because if I close my eyes, I usually fall asleep. :yawn: :sleep: 😊
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If I pray when I wake up in the AM with my eyes closed my kid thinks I’m still asleep and so doesn’t interrupt. 😉 As a kid I would get distracted by anything and everything if I didn’t close my eyes. I guess it’s just what you’re used to.
 
Syele said:
If I pray when I wake up in the AM with my eyes closed my kid thinks I’m still asleep and so doesn’t interrupt. 😉 As a kid I would get distracted by anything and everything if I didn’t close my eyes. I guess it’s just what you’re used to.
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That’s true. I also frequently pray the Psalms, so I have to have my eyes open to read my Bible. When I was a kid, I could pray with my eyes closed and focus without getting sleepy. Maybe for me, it’s just different since I am older.
 
I used to always pray with my eyes closed, but now I don’t really notice if my eyes are open or closed when I’m praying. Does that make any sense?
 
I was taught at as a child that closing the eyes is to help with focus . It’s easer to focus on God when you aren’t looking around at stuff on the walls or noticing how dusty the lamp is.
Click to expand...
Well, I actually find it hard to concentrate with my eyes closed… I can’t keep them closed, and I like being alert. I find it easier to pray with eyes closed sitting down though.
 
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